WALTHER KöNIG, KöLN

Published by Valiz.Edited by Nils Norman, Peter de Rooden, Taco de Neef. Text by Agnieszka Gratza, Fransje de Waard, Nils Norman, et al.

In a public park in the Hague, British artist Nils Norman (born 1966) has devised an unusual work of art: one that grows and blossoms and produces delicious fruit and vegetables. Norman’s “Edible Park” was developed using the principles of permaculture, a form of vegetable gardening in which different plants are combined in such a way that they complement one another’s needs as they grow. More than just a gardening model, permaculture is a nature-based design philosophy that can be used as a guide for architecture, product design and to improve society in general. In Edible Park Norman explains his methods, his sources of inspiration and the artistic and social-critical context around his work. The book contains a wealth of visual material and a DIY section explaining permaculture methods that can be applied to the balcony or backyard garden.

This publication documents British artist Nils Norman's collaboration with London's Serpentine Gallery and a UK organization, through which he worked with homeless people to map their experiences, uncovering how the economic and physical structures of the city impact the people who inhabit its public spaces.